I normally head to KS for the archery opening day, but this year drew an IL season 1 tag which started the same day so it would have to be week 2 before I made it this year. Because of several things, I had a day and half to make something happen before I had to head home and work for one day. That first day and a half hunt was not productive in terms of kills, but we had lots of jakes up close and a few toms just out of range. So, I drove the 6 hours home, went to work, then headed back. The first morning when I returned was just one of those days all turkey hunters look fwd to all year. The field I hunted the first couple days had been covered up with birds, but they were dispersing quick so we decided to walk into a place we hunted 2 years ago and set up where we sat then. We got all set up in the pitch dark and just as we were sitting down, birds gobbled close! Click the thumbnail for a short video of them gobbling as day breaks:

A little calling and they were definitely interested. Before long a couple was in the field with us strutting very slowly towards us. When a hen answered me in the woods, I kept at her until she got mad enough to come out and see what was up. She came right into the dekes and by this time a 3rd tom had joined the first two and they picked up the pace towards the real hen. Soon they were right in front of us, a few yards past the dekes trying to decide if they wanted to thump our strutter or jake, or follow the hen who had now lost interest.

I like to let them come into the dekes and get a little video and watch the show myself, but I was pretty sure these 3 were gonna chase some real tail so it was time to let it fly. You can see the green lighted nock on track for a good shot.

His buddies and one more tom turned to enemies quick and were on him before he could even make it to his death bed off the field edge.

I don’t get caught up in size when it comes to spring turkeys. To me, it’s either a jake, or a tom and what the measurements are end up just being chance. I am not gonna pass up a bird with an 8 inch beard waiting for 10, or whatever. But this bird appeared to be the best of the 3, and it is one of my biggest ever. He was 25 lbs even, 11" and 4.25" beards, with 1.5" and 1 3/8" spurs. I hunted a couple more days and blew a chance at another bird as he turned to leave the dekes, taking off his beard and some chest feathers! 18 hours of driving in a few days for this turkey but I love it and I’ll be back to KS before it all ends trying to get another.

Good luck to everyone else out there chasing birds. For those interested, I was using my Xpedition Xcentric and Hot Shot X-Spot release.

I have read a bunch of previous threads on this topic but still have a couple questions. The general agreement is that a drop away or limb driver is more forgiving to shooter error because the arrow is in contact with the rest for a shorter period of time. On the other hand the blade is said to be more forgiving for perfect form because it offers extra guidance to the arrow. The shooter induced error during the shot is torque… so here’s the question. If a blade rest is torque tuned does it theoretically offer the most accurate option? It would allow maximum arrow support with forgivingness to shooter error during the shot process.

I’m no pro… a good day on the 3d course for me is about 10 down from the open stake and a good Vegas round is around 290. I’m setting up a new bow and trying to figure out what will work best for my skill level.

Thought I’d share a few pictures from a camera check today. I was going to just put these in Swamps thread but didn’t want to jack his thread. I’ve been calling some but the coyotes aren’t cooperating very well with me. like they don’t want shot or something, lol. Getting ready for turkey season in the mix of things as well. BTW, all of these pictures were taken with Covert MP6 Blacks set on 8MP.

Gentlemen,
I am in the process of trying to book a Spring Bear hunt in Manitoba for 2015. I am looking at MacCarthy Outfitting up near the Riding Mountains Eastside. I am also looking at Grandview Outfitters up near Duck Mountains. If any of you can provide any information on either of these two outfitters I would certainly appreciate it. I have found some intel on MacCarthy Outfitters (Alan MacCarthy), but it has been somewhat limited. I have found very little at all on Grandview Outfitters (Tom Ainsworth). although they seemed to stay booked solid each year. Thank You in Advance for Your Time and Consideration.

The ministry is conducting a "test" spring bear season in the North of Ontario partnering with townships that have a high number of nuisance bears. Our foot is slowly getting back in the door after the Bleeding heart people of Toronto decided in their infinite wisdom to persuade our politician’s to ban the hunt in the first place…I think most people on here can appreciate how tough it is to get a hunting season back when it is lost….:thumbs_up
For this year anyhow, Ill be back in Quebec for spring bear…
Many thanks to the people who lobbied to get this back …

I’ve had a few cameras out for a couple weeks and got some good turkey shots. Just thought I’d share them. Post up some more if you have any. The long beard with the deer is the one I shot opening day.

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